Economic Recovery, 1945-1955

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Aftermath of WW2

Germany’s economy and society were destroyed by WW2.

Damage to the population

It is estimated that around 4.3 million German troops were killed during the war. It is believed that two thirds of the men born in 1918 did not survive WW2.
- This left millions of widows (‘women standing alone’) to look after their families.
Between 350,000 and 500,000 civilians were killed during the Allied bombings.
20 million Germans were homeless.

Damage to industry

Key industrial cities, such as Dresden, had been destroyed by the Allied bombings.

Damage to agriculture

German agricultural production in 1945 was 35% of pre-war levels.

Occupation

After Germany surrendered on 7^th May, the country was initially occupied by Soviet troops.
The other Allies (USA, Britain and France) followed suit shortly after.
Life for the German people was not easy:
- Food shortages were common.
- Allied forces treated civilians poorly and incidences of rape were common.

The Development of Bizonia

In 1947, Britain and the United States combined their zones in Germany to form Bizonia. This was a direct violation of Potsdam and angered the Soviet Union.

Clashes between the East and West before 1947

Zones occupied by the British, French and United States were run as capitalist economies.
Free trade was used to stimulate economic growth.
But the Soviet sector was run along communist lines.
Stalin and his government confiscated produced goods in Germany for the Soviet Union.

Economic problems

The harsh winter of 1946/1947 led to shortages in Germany. Zones had to introduce rationing.
Food imports were costing on average $700 million per year.
It became apparent that the zones needed to cooperate.

Creation of Bizonia

Bizonia unified the British and American zones economically.

Creation of Trizonia

In April 1949, France joined Bizonia to form Trizonia.

Currency Reform

The reform of currency in Trizonia triggered the Berlin Blockade. This led to the permanent division of Germany until 1990.

The Military mark

In 1945, the Military mark had been introduced as German currency.
However, the Soviet zone had printed lots of notes and was devaluing the currency.
Furthermore, the shortages after 1946/1947 meant inflation was a risk.

The Deutschmark

The Deutschmark was introduced to replace the Military mark.
The Soviet Zone, however, rejected the currency change.
Britain, France and the United States continued to reform their currency.
The currency reform was very successful. It led to renewed confidence in the German economy.

The East German mark

In response to the Allied currency reform, the Soviets introduced their own currency.

1Political & Governmental Change, 1918-1989

1.1Creation & Collapse of Weimar, 1918-1932

1.1.1Creation of a Republic

1.1.2Strengths & Weaknesses of Weimar Constitution

1.1.3Overcoming Challenges to the Constitution

1.1.4The Great Depression

1.1.5The Collapse of Democracy

1.1.6The Collapse of Democracy 2

1.1.7Hitler Becomes Chancellor

1.2Nazi Dictatorship, 1933-1945

1.2.1Establishing a Dictatorship

1.2.2Consolidating Power

1.2.3Nature of Government

1.2.4Government in Wartime

1.2.5Top Grade AO2/3 - Political & Governmental Change

1.3Return to Democratic Government, 1945-1989

1.3.1Creation of the FRG, 1945-1949

1.3.2Consolidation Under Adenauer

1.3.3Consolidation Under Erhard

1.3.4Maintaining Stability Under Brandt

1.3.5Maintaining Stability Under Schmidt

1.3.6Maintaining Stability Under Kohl

1.3.7Top Grade AO2/3 - Return to Democratic Government

2Opposition, Control & Consent 1918-1989

2.1Opposition to Government, 1918-1989

2.1.1Impact of Versailles

2.1.2Political Extremism & Crises, 1918-1932

2.1.3Opposition & Dissent in Nazi Germany, 1933-1945

2.1.4Political Dissent from the Left, 1949-1989

2.1.5Political Dissent from the Right, 1949-1989

2.1.6Top Grade AO2/3 - Opposition to Government 1918-89

2.2Controlling the People, 1918-1989

2.2.1Attempts to Control Extremism

2.2.2Repression, 1933-1945

2.2.3Censorship & Propaganda, 1933-1945

2.2.4De-Nazification Policies of Western Allies, 1945

2.2.5Constitutional & Legal Response to Extremism, 1949

2.3Popular Support, 1918-1989

2.3.1The Nature of Support for the Weimar Government

2.3.2Support for the Nazi Regime

2.3.3The Nature of Support for Democracy, 1945-1989

2.3.4Top Grade AO2/3 - Controlling the People

3Economic Developments & Policies, 1918-1989

3.1Reacting to Economic Challenges, 1918-1932

3.1.1Economic Crises & Government Response, 1918-1923

3.1.2Economic Loans, 1924-1928

3.1.3Policies for Recovery, 1924-1929

3.1.4The Great Depression

3.1.5Change in Living Standards

3.1.6Top Grade AO2/3 - Reacting to Economic Challenges

3.2Controlling the Economy, 1933-1945

3.2.1Attempting Economic Recovery

3.2.2Creating a Command Economy

3.2.3Change in Living Standards

3.2.4Impact of War

3.2.5Impact of War 2

3.2.6Top Grade AO2/3 - Controlling the Economy

3.3Creating the Social Market Economy, 1945-1989

3.3.1Economic Recovery, 1945-1955

3.3.2The Economic Miracle, 1955-1966

3.3.3Surviving the Recession, 1960-1969

3.3.4The Oil Crisis

3.3.5Integration into the European Economy

3.3.6Change in Living Standards

3.3.7Top Grade AO2/3 - Creating Social Market Economy

4Aspects of Life, 1918-1989

4.1Attitudes Towards Women, 1918-1989

4.1.1Role & Status of Women in the Weimar Republic

4.1.2Impact of Kinder, Küche, Kirche

4.1.3Impact of WW2 on Women

4.1.4Role & Status of Women in the FRG

4.1.5Top Grade AO2/3 - Attitudes Towards Women

4.2Education & Cultural Developments, 1918-1989

4.2.1Education in Weimar

4.2.2Cultural Experimentation in Weimar

4.2.3Education Under the Nazis

4.2.4Nazi Culture

4.2.5Education in the FRG

4.2.6Generational Conflict

4.2.7Top Grade AO2/3 - Education & Cultural Development

4.3Position of Ethnic Minorities, 19189-1989

4.3.1Ethnic Minorities in the Weimar Republic

4.3.2Nazi Racial Policies, 1933-1939

4.3.3Nazi Racial Policies During the War

4.3.4Ethnic Minorities in the FRG

4.3.5Top Grade AO2/3 - Position of Ethnic Minorities

5Historical Interpretations

5.1Influence of German History

5.1.1Influence of German History

5.2Hitler & Foreign Policy

5.2.1Hitler & Foreign Policy

5.3Contribution of Other Nations to WW2

5.3.1Weak Nations

5.3.2Appeasement

5.3.3The Rise of Fascism

5.4Reasons for Invading Poland

5.4.1Reasons for Invading Poland

5.4.2Top Grade AO2/3 - Historical Interpretation

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